Foresee Foundation’s latest project aims to unite organizations under a community network
PHILIPSBURG:--- Representatives of Sint Maarten’s strongest and most active non-profit and non-governmental organizations (NPOs and NGOs) attended a World NGO Day celebration hosted at Divi Little Bay Resort’s Seabreeze Restaurant on Wednesday, February 27th.
The organizations in attendance also witnessed the official launch of Foresee Foundation’s latest project, “NPOwer”, an initiative which aims to unite all of SXM’s NGOs and NPOs into a community network in order to collaborate and further strengthen an already powerful stakeholder in St. Maarten society.
Foresee (4C) Foundation is a local non-profit organization with a board consisting mainly of young St. Maarten professionals who returned to St. Maarten after obtaining their degrees in the USA and Europe. The education-oriented foundation launched their first project known widely as ‘DigiKidz’ in 2014, where three primary schools were equipped with state-of-the-art technology infrastructure and devices. This was followed by among others the construction of the medialab in Philipsburg Jubilee library, DigiTeenz at Milton Peters College and St. Maarten Academy, two educational conferences for 1,000 educators and a US$ 150,000 post-Irma relief grant for educational organizations early 2018.
In early 2017, the foundation shifted its gears to focus on the support of NPOs, seeking to assist in capacity strengthening and other means of support. Following Hurricane Irma, it was clearly evident that non-profits took the lead in giving immediate relief to those in need. Many NGOs/NPOs served as the beating heart of the community after the devastation and many international relief organizations came to the island looking to partner with strong local organizations. Foresee Foundation received a grant from the Dutch Disaster fund who acknowledged the need for the implementation of this initiative.
Nevertheless, the lack of a practical, up-to-date database of active NGOs/NPOs, in many ways hampered the recovery after Irma, which is still being felt today over 1 year after the hurricane. Because there was no central databank of information with an overview of which organizations were doing what, when, where, and how. Much time and energy were lost trying to make connections.
With over 75 attendees representing 40+ organizations at the World NGO Day event, Foresee and NPOwer sought to compliment SXM’s organizations on their hard work and for being a powerful force in the community with a relaxed mixer. A collaborative technology-centered game served as an icebreaker at the start of the evening, followed by a presentation by Project Managers Melanie Choisy and Allison Deher, two young persons who are no strangers to the non-profit world of St. Maarten.
Funded by the Dutch Disaster Fund, NPOwer’s objectives include being able to establish a complete online database of all active NGOs and NPOs on the island as well as introducing a number of interactive workshops aimed at supporting foundations and their missions. Information was gathered at the end of the event with a quick Needs Assessment survey, which NPOwer would like any organizations that weren’t able to attend to fill out at: surveymonkey.com/r/npower
Further information about the NPOwer project may be obtained by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by reaching out via their Facebook page: facebook.com/npowersxm.
